Redding to Join Mets Rotation

SI.com is reporting the Mets and pitcher Tim Redding are close to a one year $2.25 million deal with possibilities of additional incentives. Redding who last year pitched for the Nationals was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA inn 33 starts last year.

Redding, primarily throws a fastball, slider, and curve, and occasionally mixes in a change against left handed batters, and should be helped out by the better outfield defense the Mets will provide compared to the Nats.

It’s believed that Redding will be the 5 man in the Mets’ rotation, as the team is still making a play for Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, and possibly Paul Byrd. Lowe, who has been haggling with the Mets to get a more advantageous offer, was believed not to have any serious suitors outside of the Mets until yesterday when the Red Sox unexpectedly signed former Brave John Smoltz. With Smoltz out of the picture it increases the Braves need for a front of the rotation type pitcher, and clears some salary that had been budgeted for Smoltz.